Written Answers

Tuesday 29 February 2000

Scottish Executive

Agriculture

Maureen Macmillan (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in approving Orkney Islands Council’s Winter Keep Disaster Aid Scheme.

Ross Finnie: The Council’s proposals to provide weather-related financial assistance to farmers are being assessed under new EU guidelines for state aids in the agricultural sector, which were published in the Official Journal at the end of January, but which apply retrospectively from 1 January 2000.

  The Council provided, on 21 February, additional information on estimated losses of fodder production to support their case. A state aids notification will be submitted to the European Commission for scrutiny in the near future.

Criminal Records

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to facilitate the use of police checks by vulnerable groups and individuals employing care assistants and other types of assistants.

Mr Jim Wallace: Part V of the Police Act 1997 provides for extended access to criminal record checks. New certificates, which will be available next year, will be phased in.   Our first priority is to improve child protection and the highest level of check, the Enhanced Criminal Record Certificate (ECRC), will initially be for those regularly caring for, training, supervising or being in sole charge of children. We intend to extend these checks to those caring for vulnerable adults. Applications for ECRCs will have to be countersigned by a registered body, so it will not be possible for an individual to obtain this level of check for care assistants or others. Registration is essential to protect the use of sensitive information. Under Part V, individuals will be able to apply for Criminal Conviction Certificates (CCC) which will contain details of any unspent convictions. Those employing care assistants will be able to ask to see a copy of their CCC although the information will not be as comprehensive as that on the ECRCs.

Disabled People

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for improving facilities for disabled people in Scotland and in particular whether it intends to introduce any new legislation in this area.

Jackie Baillie: In December 1999 the UK-wide Disability Rights Task Force (DRTF) reported on a comprehensive review of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). The Executive is considering the DRTF recommendations although any new legislation would be reserved to the UK Parliament. Meanwhile, the remaining provisions of the DDA on access to goods and services are being implemented between now and 2004. For example, from 1 October 1999 service providers are required to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people, such as providing extra help or making changes to the way they provide services. From 2004 it is intended that service providers will have to make reasonable adjustments to the physical features of their premises to overcome physical barriers to access.

Drug Misuse

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive to provide a breakdown of drug offences by category for each of the past three years including the current year’s figures to date.

Angus MacKay: The information available from the recorded crime statistics is given in the table below:

  


Drug 

  crimes recorded by the Scottish police 1996-99

  






1996

  

1997

  

1998

  

1999 

  Jan-Sept (provisional)

  



Total drugs 

  crimes

  

23,992

  

29,386

  

31,460

  

24,376

  



Of which:

  















Illegal 

  importation of drugs

  

35

  

27

  

30

  

8

  



Production, 

  manufacture or cultivation of drugs

  

284

  

238

  

170

  

108

  



Possession 

  of drugs with intent to supply

  

6,638

  

7,915

  

8,290

  

6,478

  



Possession 

  of drugs

  

16,739

  

20,929

  

22,588

  

17,483

  



Drugs, money 

  laundering related offences1


-

  

-

  

-

  

8

  



Drugs, other 

  offences

  

296

  

277

  

382

  

291

  



  Notes:

  1. Introduced with effect from 1 January 1995.

Employment

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive to provide a detailed account of the methodology used by it and its executive agencies to determine the "number of jobs created and safeguarded" through its various activities and to provide a definition of "jobs saved" and "jobs safeguarded".

Henry McLeish: Reference to numbers of jobs created and safeguarded is most frequently made in relation to projects recorded by Locate in Scotland. In this regard, the methodology used to determine the total number of such jobs is to aggregate the relevant employment forecasts made by the companies planning to undertake these projects. Locate in Scotland defines a "new" or "created" job as one which did not exist prior to the commencement of the planned project. A "safeguarded" or "saved" job is one which, had the planned project not proceeded, would otherwise have been lost.

Employment

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve the quality of skillseeker traineeships in the light of the statement in the report Glasgow School Leavers 1998-99 published by Glasgow Careers Service that 90% of unemployed Glasgow school leavers are "not interested" in pursuing them.

Henry McLeish: The Beattie Committee report, Implementing Inclusiveness – Realising Potential and the Opportunities and Choices consultation document addressed the problems of those young people, predominantly male, who experience uncertain transitions in the immediate post-school period. I will be announcing the Executive’s policy response to both these documents within the next few weeks.

Enterprise

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive to provide a breakdown by area of the number of Individual Learning Accounts which have been taken up, the value of the public sector contributions to these accounts, the private sector leverage obtained to date, and the number of positive outcomes achieved to date.

Henry McLeish: Various aspects of the Individual Learning Account (ILA) concept have been tested through development projects running across the UK. One official ILA development project is currently running in the Grampian area, with a second project about to begin in the Lochaber area.

  The Grampian development project has been running for a period of six months. During this period 445 learners have taken up ILAs. Learners contributed at least £25 themselves and by so doing were able to access a public incentive of £150 – as such, individual contributions of £11,125 were made, with the value of public incentives available totalling £66,750. Employer contributions have varied from £0-£500 per person. In terms of positive outcomes, all but a small number of the 445 learners have completed the learning in question (5% non-completion rate).

  In addition to the official development projects, the ESF Objective 4 programme has approved some Euro ILA programmes throughout Scotland. The best known of these is the Fife programme, set up in response to a number of large scale redundancies in the area. The Fife programme specifically targets small employers in the Fife area. An evaluation of this programme is available from Fife Enterprise Ltd.

  The Scottish Executive is committed to the development of a UK framework for ILAs for the launch of ILAs in autumn 2000.

Health

Dorothy-Grace Elder (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive to list the health board areas which provide funding for beta interferon prescribing and, further to the answer to question S1W-496 by Susan Deacon on 22 July 1999, whether figures for the number of patients currently receiving treatment using beta interferon are held by individual health boards and, if so, whether it will make arrangements to compile and publish these figures from 1995 to date.

Susan Deacon: There are patients with multiple sclerosis in all health board areas receiving beta interferon treatment. In December 1999, there were 181 patients with multiple sclerosis receiving beta interferon treatment. This information is given on a national basis in order not to disclose information that may relate to an individual patient. Comprehensive figures for the number of patients receiving beta interferon treatment by health board from 1995 to date is not available.

Health

Brian Adam (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the projected overspend is in the current financial year for each NHS Trust.

Susan Deacon: Against total forecast income of £4,684 million this year, the 28 new NHS Trusts in Scotland reported at 31 December 1999 that their expenditure at 31 March 2000 was expected to be £4,720 million.

  At 31 December 1998, the 47 previous NHS Trusts reported their forecast expenditure at 31 March 1999 £21 million above income. In the event, at 31 March 1999, only five Trusts failed to meet their break-even financial target, and only two failed to meet all three of their financial targets.

  The Scottish Executive is currently working with senior management in Trusts forecasting an over-commitment, and their local health boards to ensure that recovery plans are put in place which will continue to provide high quality patient care while achieving financial balance.

Health

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider funding a Scottish allergen immuno-therapy unit.

Susan Deacon: We have no plans for such a unit, but hope to publish shortly a major review of immunology and allergy services undertaken by the Scottish Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee, the recommendations of which should help focus the development of the range of local services required by those who suffer from allergies.

Health

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what Scottish per capita spending on health is in the current financial year; what the proportionate per capita difference is in spending compared to the UK average, and whether this proportionate per capita differential will be maintained or will reduce.

Susan Deacon: The planned net Scottish per capita spending on health for the current year is £964. The planned per capita expenditure for Scotland is about 18% higher than the UK average. Planned per capita expenditure for 2000-01 and 2001-02 is about 18% and 17% higher respectively. Expenditure plans for 2002-03 and beyond will be considered during the forthcoming spending review. Under the Barnett Formula Scotland will receive the same per capita increase as comparable UK programmes.

Health

Brian Adam (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to reconsider the role of health boards in Scotland.

Susan Deacon: The role of health boards is evolving and developing in line with the wider policy agenda of the Executive. That role will remain a central one in shaping and delivering the strategic agenda for the NHS in Scotland and in securing improvements to the health of the people who live in each health board area. It will, however, be a role increasingly carried out in partnership with NHS Trusts, with local authorities and with others who have an interest in health services – including the people who use them. The White Paper Designed to Care laid the foundation for dismantling the damaging and divisive internal market and for restructuring the NHS in Scotland on the basis of co-operation and inclusion. Our Programme for Government set out our commitments for modernising the service. Health boards in Scotland will have an important part to play in taking all of this forward.

Health

Kay Ullrich (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many physiotherapists currently working in the NHS in Scotland are trained in the management of hypermobility syndrome.

Susan Deacon: The information requested is not available centrally.

Housing

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to bring forward legislation on the law of the tenement.

Mr Jim Wallace: The management of tenements is governed by rules and conditions set out as rights and real burdens in the relevant title deeds. The Scottish Law Commission will publish their final Report on Real Burdens and Title Conditions later this year. The resultant modernisation and simplification of the law on real burdens will rationalise the application and enforcement of burdens on all property, including tenements. Reforming the Law of the Tenement after the reform of the law relating to Title Conditions should therefore be a much simpler task.

  The Scottish Law Commission's recommendations on the Law of the Tenement (Scot Law Com. No 162) will therefore be reconsidered in the light of the Commission’s recommendations on Title Conditions, with legislation depending on how soon consultation can take place and a suitable legislative opportunity be found.

Housing

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will request East Ayrshire Council to provide the information on its performance in respect of housing repairs which it was unable to provide to the Accounts Commission.

Mr Frank McAveety: There are no plans to do so.

  It is for the Accounts Commission to collect and publish Performance Indicator information under the Local Government Act 1992.

Housing

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what advice and assistance it will give to local authorities to reduce their level of rent arrears.

Ms Wendy Alexander: Advice is contained in the practice note Rent Arrears Management published by The Scottish Office in March 1994. The Accounts Commission and Scottish Homes are jointly carrying out a study into rent arrears management in local authorities and in housing associations. The study is due to report in early summer.

Justice

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases in (a) sheriffs courts; (b) the Court of Session and (c) the High Court of Justiciary have been adjourned as a result of the decision to suspend all temporary Sheriffs and Judges.

Mr Jim Wallace: For the months of November and December 1999, the number of cases in the sheriff court due to be heard before a temporary Sheriff which required to be adjourned is set out below:

  


Sheriff 

  and Jury trials

  

Nil

  



Summary 

  Criminal trials

  

13 

  of 6,245 cases calling for trial

  



Ordinary 

  Civil proofs and debates

  

73 

  of 965 cases set down

  



Summary 

  Cause/Small Claims hearings

  

48 

  of 533 cases set down

  



  During this period a further 196 summary criminal and 33 civil cases were adjourned for lack of time. It is not possible to say how many of these cases may have proceeded had temporary shrieval assistance been available.

  Adjustments to the programme in the Court of Session after 11 November 1999 have resulted in six cases set down for proof being reallocated to later dates. No cases in the High Court of Justiciary have been adjourned as a result of the suspension of the use of temporary Judges.

Justice

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many appeals (a) from the sheriff court to the Court of Session; (b) from the sheriff court to the High Court; (c) from the High Court of Justiciary to the Scottish Court of Criminal Appeal and (d) from the Court of Session to the Inner House of the Court of Session have been postponed as a result of the decision to suspend all temporary Sheriffs and temporary Judges.

Mr Jim Wallace: Adjustments to the programme in the Court of Session after 11 November 1999 have resulted in one appeal from the Court of Session to the Inner House being postponed to a later date.

  No appeals from the sheriff court to the Court of Session or the High Court, and no appeals from the High Court to the Court of Criminal Appeal have been postponed. However, adjustments to the Appeal Court programme have resulted in the loss of four days for criminal appeals and eight days for summary sentence appeals.

Justice

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the work of temporary Sheriffs accounted for in excess of 6,000 court days in the year prior to 11 November 1999; whether this is equivalent to the workload of not less than 37 full-time permanent Sheriffs and, if so, how it plans to fill the judicial deficit of the equivalent of at least 21 full-time Sheriffs.

Mr Jim Wallace: Temporary Sheriffs contributed 5,518 days service in the year to 11 November 1999. Ministers have authorised the appointment of 16 permanent Sheriffs since then and are considering what further steps are necessary to replace the service given by temporary Sheriffs. In reaching decisions Ministers will wish to take account of relevant cases heard by the Supreme Courts, one of which is still in progress.

Justice

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-2537 by Mr Jim Wallace on 29 November 1999, whether its current policy, pending the issue of a consultation paper on the arrangements for recommending appointment of Judges and Sheriffs, is that the Lord Advocate, as head of the prosecutions service and a member of the Scottish Executive, will continue to play a key role in the appointment of Judges and Sheriffs.

Mr Jim Wallace: The First Minister will continue to receive advice on the appointment of Judges and Sheriffs from the Lord Advocate reflecting appropriate soundings taken by him.

Justice

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the 12 new permanent Sheriffs appointed in December 1999 previously held temporary Sheriff commissions and, of these, how many had held commissions as temporary Sheriffs for more than two years.

Mr Jim Wallace: Eight of the new appointees had held Commissions as temporary Sheriffs, of whom one had held his commission for more than two years.

Justice

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the 12 new permanent Sheriffs appointed in December 1999 were previously (a) advocates depute or (b) procurators fiscal.

Mr Jim Wallace: (a) two and (b) four, including two who had served in both capacities at different times.

Justice

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the 12 new permanent Sheriffs appointed in December 1999 had been recommended for appointment by Sheriffs Principal; whether candidates more experienced for these posts than those appointed were considered and rejected and, if so, why.

Mr Jim Wallace: Nine of those appointed were included in the list of those recommended by the Sheriffs Principal. Two of the others were serving members of the procurator fiscal service and one was Senior Counsel with considerable High Court experience who had also served as a temporary Sheriff. There were 187 applications from qualified individuals so many experienced candidates were unsuccessful. The Lord President was consulted, as required by Statute, and was content with the nominations made.

Justice

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many hearings in civil litigation in the Court of Session have been postponed due to the unavailability of Judges following the suspension of temporary Judges.

Mr Jim Wallace: Adjustments to the programme in the Court of Session after 11 November 1999 have resulted in six cases set down for proof being reallocated to later dates.

Justice

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the target time period between plea and trial for summary trials in the sheriff court is approximately 12 weeks.

Mr Jim Wallace: Sheriffs Principal have set target periods of 12 weeks between plea and summary trial for each sheriff court in their sheriffdoms.

Justice

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average time period was between plea and trial in each of Linlithgow, Stirling, Falkirk, Dundee, Hamilton, Lanark, Dunfermline and Haddington Sheriff Courts (a) before the judgement and (b) since the judgement in the Starrs and Chalmers case.

Mr Jim Wallace: The following table shows the average waiting periods between plea and trial in October 1999 (preceding the judgement in the Starrs and Chalmers case) and December 1999 for the Sheriff Courts at Linlithgow, Stirling, Falkirk, Dundee, Hamilton, Lanark, Dunfermline and Haddington.

  Waiting Periods

  


Court

  

October 

  1999

  

December 

  1999

  



Linlithgow

  

19

  

20

  



Stirling

  

11

  

26

  



Falkirk

  

15

  

17

  



Dundee

  

18

  

17

  



Hamilton

  

10

  

11

  



Lanark

  

8

  

10

  



Dunfermline

  

15

  

16

  



Haddington

  

11

  

11

Justice

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the instructions of Sheriffs Principal to Sheriffs to cancel leave, attendance at conferences or courses and writing days will now be withdrawn.

Mr Jim Wallace: The Scottish Executive did not issue any instructions on these matters. Any steps taken by individual Sheriffs Principal were in accordance with their statutory duty to secure the speedy and efficient disposal of business in their Sheriffdoms. I have already acknowledged the professionalism shown by the Judiciary in responding to the extra demands on them arising from the suspension of temporary Sheriffs and temporary Judges.

Justice

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many hearings in civil litigation have been postponed due to the unavailability of Sheriffs in each of Linlithgow, Stirling, Falkirk, Dundee, Hamilton, Lanark, Dunfermline, Haddington and Edinburgh Sheriff Courts.

Mr Jim Wallace: The following table shows the number of civil hearings adjourned due to lack of temporary shrieval resources in the Sheriff Courts at Linlithgow, Stirling, Falkirk, Dundee, Hamilton, Lanark, Dunfermline, Haddington and Edinburgh for the period 1 November 1999 to 31 January 2000.

  CIVIL CASES ADJOURNED DUE TO LACK OF TEMPORARY SHRIEVAL RESOURCES

  1 Nov 1999 to 31 Jan 2000

  

 

Ordinary

  

Summary Cause

  

Small Claim

  

Other

  


 

Proof

  

Debate

  

Proofs

  

Full Hearings

  
 



Dundee

  

6

  

1

  

0

  

3

  

0

  



Dunfermline

  

1

  

1

  

0

  

0

  

0

  



Edinburgh

  

10

  

1

  

2

  

5

  

0

  



Falkirk

  

2

  

0

  

0

  

0

  

1

  



Haddington

  

0

  

0

  

0

  

0

  

0

  



Hamilton

  

5

  

3

  

0

  

0

  

0

  



Lanark

  

4

  

2

  

0

  

0

  

0

  



Linlithgow

  

1

  

0

  

0

  

0

  

0

  



Stirling

  

8

  

3

  

9

  

1

  

0

  



Total

  

37

  

11

  

11

  

9

  

1

Justice

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to appoint temporary Sheriffs and temporary Judges to fill the current judicial deficit; if so, what method of appointment will be used and what terms and conditions will apply to these appointments.

Mr Jim Wallace: This is under active consideration. No final decision will be taken before a current case in the Court of Session has been concluded.

Local Government Finance

Brian Adam (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to address the financial situation at Aberdeenshire Council.

Mr Jack McConnell: I have announced my decision to offer Aberdeenshire Council further flexibility by allowing them to return their budget to guideline within two years instead one. This will go a considerable way to easing their budget problems and help them deliver the high quality services the public deserves.

Local Government Finance

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from East Ayrshire Council in respect of its revenue support grant for 2000-01.

Mr Jack McConnell: I have discussed local government finance with the leadership of East Ayrshire Council, including revenue support grant for 2000-01.

Local Government Finance

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive to provide a breakdown of the Special Deprivation Allowance by local authority for the current financial year and each of the next two years.

Mr Jack McConnell: We agreed with CoSLA that special deprivation payments for 2000-01 should be targeted, as follows, at those councils experiencing higher levels of deprivation: Clackmannanshire (£0.13 million), Dundee City (£1.6 million), East Ayrshire (£1.1 million), Eilean Siar (£0.17 million), City of Glasgow (£8.7 million), Inverclyde (£0.9 million), North Ayrshire (£1.2 million), North Lanarkshire (£2.9 million), Renfrewshire (£1.4 million), South Lanarkshire (£1.5 million) and West Dunbartonshire (£1.0 million).

  The payments are for 2000-01 only, pending the completion of a review of the account taken of indicators of deprivation and poverty within the local government finance distribution system.

OECD Conference

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Transport and the Environment will be attending the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development conference being held in Edinburgh in February 2000; whether any other Scottish Ministers or Deputy Ministers will be attending the conference and whether it has been notified of who will be representing Her Majesty's Government at the conference by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the division of responsibilities and of rights and powers regarding attendance, voting and speaking between the Minister For Transport and the Environment and representatives of Her Majesty's Government at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development conference being held in Edinburgh in February 2000 will be; in particular, whether the Minister will address the conference, lead on matters relating to Scotland or have any voting rights, and whether it will provide similar details in respect of any other Scottish Ministers or Deputy Ministers attending the conference.

Susan Deacon: The OECD Conference on the scientific and health aspects of genetically modified foods is being hosted by the UK Government. Scottish Ministers are pleased to welcome this landmark event to Scotland as an important contribution to furthering the international debate on the issues raised by GM food. I addressed the opening session of the conference along with Dr Mowlam, Minister for the Cabinet Office in the UK Government. The Minister for Rural Affairs hosted a reception for conference delegates, emphasising our support for this open, international, scientific debate on GM food safety.

Pre-School Education

Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether children whose parents wish to request deferred entry to primary and therefore to pre-school education retain their full entitlement to funding of their pre-school place.

Peter Peacock: Under the current grant system, a child who defers entry into   pre-school education remains entitled to a funded place in the standard pre-school year. Provision of additional pre-school education thereafter is at the local authority’s discretion. A child who defers entry to school having already taken their full entitlement of up to five terms of pre-school education is not entitled to any further, free ,  pre-school provision. Authorities may at their discretion offer such children additional provision, which may be either free or charged.

Raptors

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it or any of its agencies have any plans to commission or undertake scientific studies on possible means of reducing predation on racing pigeons.

Sarah Boyack: There are no such plans at present. I have, however, asked SNH for advice on the recommendations contained in the UK Raptor Working Group Report, including the recommendation that scientific studies be undertaken on the range of possible means of reducing predation on racing pigeons.

Raptors

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to make a detailed response to the recommendations of the UK Raptor Working Group and to provide details of any bilateral discussions it has had or is planning to have with interested parties prior to issuing its own response.

Sarah Boyack: I refer Mr Neil to my answer to question S1W-4163 in which I indicated that I had asked SNH for advice on the recommendations obtained in the UK Raptor Working Group Report and how they might be implemented in Scotland. The Scottish Executive has not held bilateral discussions on the report with interested parties, but I have asked SNH to consult relevant interests before offering advice.

Social Work

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in the light of recent events surrounding the actions of East Ayrshire Council’s Social Work Department, it will review the relevant procedures for the care and protection of young people whilst under the supervision of a social worker.

Mr Sam Galbraith: It is not appropriate for me to comment on individual cases. Under the Children (Scotland) Act 1995, local authorities have a duty to safeguard the welfare of children in need. This is especially the case when children are under the supervision of local authorities. Extensive guidance has already been issued to local authorities to help them discharge their duties under the Act.

  Proposals for legislation to regulate the social services workforce are contained in the consultation paper Regulating Care and the Social Services Workforce which issued in December 1999. The legislation will establish the Scottish Social Services Council which will register key groups of social work staff as a prerequisite before they can be employed or continue in employment. In developing this body, the Scottish Executive is seeking to ensure that users of social services have confidence in those who provide the services.

Special Advisers

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to question S1W-1282 lodged on 1 September 1999 about the specialisms of its special advisers, when it will provide an explanation for the delay in providing a substantive answer and whether the answer will include details of those special advisers who, since the lodging of the question, have left its employment.

Donald Dewar: I refer to the answer I gave to question S1W-1282 on 22 February 2000.

Transport

Mrs Lyndsay McIntosh (Central Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the creation of the Glasgow Southern Orbital road link will coincide with that of the M77 extension, if not, when it envisages its completion and whether this will result in any job losses in Ayrshire.

Sarah Boyack: There would be financial and economic benefits were the construction of the Glasgow Southern Orbital and the M77 extension to coincide, and consideration is being given to a joint contract to achieve this. It is too early to say whether this will be achieved as there are technical, financial and procedural matters to be considered. These include resolution of objections to the Glasgow Southern Orbital.

  If there is not to be a joint contract, East Renfrewshire Council and South Lanarkshire Council, the promoters of the Glasgow Southern Orbital, would decide on the timing of the construction of that road. It would be for those two councils also to advise you as to the likely effects of that road on employment in Ayrshire.

Transport

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the number of reports, consultations and studies commissioned by it on transport and environment issues and the estimated costs of each.

Sarah Boyack: The information requested is set out in the following tables.

  TRANSPORT

  


Title

  

Cost (£000)

  



Reports

  
 



Audit of Preliminary Local Transport 

  Strategies and Road Traffic Reduction Reports


10.9

  



Guidance on Local Transport 

  and Traffic Reduction Reports


1.3

  



The Integrated Transport Bill: 

  The Executive’s proposals


9.4

  



Travel Choices for Scotland 

  – Strategic Roads Review


275.7

  



Studies

  
 



A8 (T) Baillieston to Newhouse 

  Maintenance Options Study 


61.7

  



Borders Rail Feasibility Study


188.0

  



Capacity Enhancement Study - 

  M8 Kingston Bridge and Approaches


120.0

  



Contributing to a sustainable 

  integrated transport system


70.0

  



Development of the National 

  Public Transport Timetable


64.5

  



Echline, South Queensferry recycling 

  study


107.8

  



Forth Road Bridge Traffic Monitoring


10.0

  



Forth Transport Infrastructure 

  Partnership Radical Measures Study: Phase II


85.0

  



Landscape potential of Scottish 

  trees and shrubs


30.0

  



Pedestrian perceptions of road 

  crossing facilities


18.0

  



Recreational drugs and driving


110.0

  



Review of Techniques for Measuring 

  Accessibility


23.5

  



Tariff Rebate Subsidy Scheme: 

  Bulk Freight and Livestock Shipping Services Review


23.4

  



The Role of Transport in Social 

  Exclusion


35.0

  



Upper Forth Crossing at Kincardine 

  – Transport and Economic Analyses Commission


255.0

  



Upper Forth Crossing at Kincardine 

  - Engineering, Ecology and Environment Commission


1,070.0

  



Validation of the Road Asset 

  Valuation Model


10.0

  



Women and Transport


40.0

  


 
 



Consultations

  
 



Tackling Congestion: The Scottish 

  Executive’s consultation paper on fighting traffic congestion 

  and pollution through road user charging and workplace parking 

  charges


4.5

  



  ENVIRONMENT

  


Title

  

Cost 

  (£000)

  



Reports

  




Air 

  Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland


3.4

  



Annual 

  drinking water quality report 


4.5

  



Report 

  of National Goose Forum


4.0

  



Water 

  quality and standards - investment priorities for the Scottish 

  Water Authorities 


11.9

  







Studies

  




Biodiversity 

  - database


10.0

  



Biodiversity 

  - local authority policy development 


10.0

  



Biodiversity 

  - socio-economic benefits 


10.0

  



Capercaillie 

  - improvements in management techniques 


5.0

  



Climate 

  change - Atlantic comparison 


17.6

  



Climate 

  change - Scottish Regional Scenarios 


17.1

  



Database 

  of groundwater monitoring sites 


7.2

  



Economic 

  impact of irrigation controls 


15.0

  



Effects 

  of diffuse agricultural pollution on Ayrshire bathing waters


40.0

  



Emissions 

  of Sulphur Dioxide from small combustion plants


7.1

  



Local 

  Authority Waste Management - cost implications


25.0

  



Options 

  for mink management in Western Isles 


10.0

  



Partnership 

  for Action against Wildlife Crime - sponsorship opportunities


2.0

  



Scottish 

  inputs to water environment and their contribution to nutrient 

  levels of the North Sea


10.0

  



Shellfish 

  waters improvement programmes 


10.0

  



Survey 

  of public attitudes on the environment 


6.0

  







Consultations

  




Basic 

  Safety Standards Directive - consultation 

  

0.3

  



Four Consultation 

  papers on air quality general guidance 

  

0.4

  



Four Consultation 

  papers on air quality technical guidance 

  

0.4

  



Consultation 

  paper on designation of shellfish waters 

  

0.3

  



Consultation 

  paper on designation of Ythan Nitrate Vulnerable Zone 

  

0.3

  



Consultation 

  paper on disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls

  

0.4

  



Consultation 

  paper on landfill reduction 

  

0.4

  



Contaminated 

  land - consultation 

  

1.2

  



Integrated 

  Pollution Protection and Control consultation 

  

0.9

  



National 

  Parks (Scotland) Bill - consultation 

  

22.0

  



Works 

  Notices Regulations - consultation paper 

  

0.3

  



  Notes:

  1. The information largely relates to reports, consultations and studies commissioned by the Scottish Executive since 1 July 1999. However, in view of their significance, two exercises initiated by The Scottish Office prior to 1 July 1999, namely Travel Choices for Scotland – Strategic Roads Review and Borders Rail Feasibility Study have been included. Other routine and ad hoc reports which have been received or published under the terms of contracts placed or work initiated by The Scottish Office prior to 1 July 1999 are not included above.

  2. The cost information relates only to external costs incurred e.g. consultancy fees and printing costs. Information is not held on in-house costs e.g. staff costs arising from the drafting of consultation papers, preparation of research briefs etc. Where external costs have been shared with another body or bodies, the figure relates to the Scottish Office/Scottish Executive’s contribution.

Transport

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make funding available to support local authorities who may wish to introduce and promote congestion charging schemes.

Sarah Boyack: My statement to Parliament on 10 February made clear that we will support those authorities that are committed to developing a charging scheme by providing, on a case by case basis, matching financial support to help meet their research and development costs. I shall announce the detail later in the year.

Transport

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the current status is of the proposed Glasgow Southern Orbital road in respect of the planning and other statutory procedures which require to be undertaken prior to commencement and whether it will provide a detailed breakdown of the sequence of activities between now and the issuing of invitations to tender for the construction contract.

Sarah Boyack: The Glasgow Southern Orbital Route is being jointly promoted by East Renfrewshire and South Lanarkshire Councils as a local authority development. The scheme currently before Scottish Ministers comprises two Notices of Intention to Develop. In addition, each council has promoted a Compulsory Purchase Order and a Side Roads Order. These Orders, which are deemed necessary by them to facilitate the building of the road, are currently the subject of objections. Negotiations between the Councils and the objectors are ongoing.

  In the event of the objections to the Orders not being withdrawn, the parties have the right to be heard at a Public Local Inquiry (PLI). In such a case, papers would be passed to the Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters Unit whereupon relevant notice of the PLI would be issued to each of the organisations and individuals who had made representations concerning the merits of the proposal.

  The sequence of other activities leading to the invitation to tender is a matter for East Renfrewshire and South Lanarkshire Councils, as promoters for the scheme.

Voluntary Sector

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of the financial support which it and its executive agencies are providing to voluntary organisations in Scotland during the current financial year and the forecast level of support for each of the next two years.

Jackie Baillie: The table below shows the level of funding made available by the Scottish Office to voluntary organisations for 1998-99 by Department. An exercise is due to commence shortly to update this database to show funding from the Scottish Executive. That information will show outturn figures for 1998-99 and 1999-2000 and planned funding for 2000-01.

  It is also planned to collect data relating to the funding of voluntary organisations by executive agencies. At present this information is not readily available. I will arrange for this information to be made available once it has been collected.

  


Department

  

£

  



Agriculture, 

  Environment & Fisheries

  

4,153,214

  



Development

  

2,186,837

  



Education 

  and Industry

  

8,937,282

  



Health

  

1,036,700

  



Home

  

6,553,473

  



Total

  

22,867,506

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body

Foreign Trips

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Presiding Officer to provide a breakdown of foreign trips which the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body has funded to date, including the cost of each, the participants and the outcomes and whether copies of the breakdown will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

Sir David Steel: The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body has funded Members on the following foreign trips:

  Mr Michael Russell – India – Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference on "Parliament and the Media: Building and Effective Partnerships"

  Mr George Reid – France – Academic Conference on "Europe United, the Kingdom Divided?"

  Rt. Hon Sir David Steel – Australia – 15th Annual Conference of Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers

  Mr George Reid – Canada – International Conference on Federalism

  Mr George Reid – Belgium – Opening of Scotland House

  Rt. Hon Sir David Steel, Mr Andrew Welsh, Mr Robert Brown – Netherlands & Belgium – as members of the Corporate Body on an information gathering exercise on comparative parliament buildings.

  The costs of these individual trips are not available, as this information is not held in this format.

  The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body has put in place mechanisms to record the costs of committees travelling and for delegations, but not for individual trips. However, the total cost of trips, both national and international, that have been approved by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body will be available at the financial year-end.

  There are no plans to place copies of the breakdown of trips in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

Parliamentary Staff

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Presiding Officer whether any applicant of the age 57 or over will be considered for employment by the Scottish Parliament and, if not, whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body regards this as age discrimination and what action it plans to take to address this issue.

Sir David Steel: Yes, applicants of age 57 and over will be considered for employment by the Scottish Parliament.